DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Election/Restrictions
2. Claim(s) 13-17 and 29-30 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on December 5, 2025 for claims 1-12 and 18-28.
Priority
3. Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
Information Disclosure Statement
4. The information disclosure statement(s) submitted on January 8, 2025 has been considered by the Examiner and made of record in the application file.
Specification
5. The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Interpretation
6. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
a) “means for obtaining reference timing information …”, and “means for communicating, in association with a set of ultra-wideband (UWB) signal parameters, a UWB signal, …” in claim 36;
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
7. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 4-9, 11-12, 18, 21-26, 28, 31, and 34-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hariharan et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2022/0149890 A1) (This reference is cited in the IDS filed on 1/8/2025) in view of Choi et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 20250023601 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Hariharan et al. teach a first network node for wireless communication (Fig(s).1-2, 4 @ 400, and 5 @ 500), comprising:
one or more memories (Fig(s).2 @ 206 and 3 @ 306); and
one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302) coupled to the one or more memories (Fig(s).2 @ 206 and 3 @ 306) and configured to cause the first network node (Fig(s).1-2, 4 @ 400, and 5 @ 500) to:
obtain reference timing information (read as EC value) associated with a second network node associated with a radio access technology (RAT) (read as “The Tx CPU 402 may receive from the Tx BT radio 506 a read EC message 526, including the current EC value, ECcurrent.”(Fig.5; Paragraph [0100]) For example, “the value of EC and/or the time of the most recent handshake function may serve as a known reference time value that may be used to coordinate subsequent communications.”(Paragraph [0099])); and
communicate, in association with a set of ultra-wideband (UWB) signal parameters, a UWB signal (Fig(s).4 @ 432 and 5 @ 532),
However, Hariharan et al. fail to explicitly teach the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters.
Choi et al. teach a method wherein the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information (read as RMARKER (Fig.5B; Paragraph [0169])) and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters. (read as “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claim 18, Hariharan et al. teach a method of wireless communication performed by a first network node (Fig(s).4-5), comprising:
obtaining reference timing information associated with a second network node associated with a radio access technology (RAT) (read as “The Tx CPU 402 may receive from the Tx BT radio 506 a read EC message 526, including the current EC value, ECcurrent. ”(Fig.5; Paragraph [0100]) For example, “the value of EC and/or the time of the most recent handshake function may serve as a known reference time value that may be used to coordinate subsequent communications.”(Paragraph [0099])); and
communicating, in association with a set of ultra-wideband (UWB) signal parameters, a UWB signal (Fig(s).4 @ 432 and 5 @ 532),
However, Hariharan et al. fail to explicitly teach the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters.
Choi et al. teach a method wherein the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information (read as RMARKER (Fig.5B; Paragraph [0169])) and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters. (read as “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claim 31, Hariharan et al. a non-transitory computer-readable medium (Fig(s).2 @ 206 and 3 @ 306) that stores a set of instructions (read as program instructions (Paragraph [0038])) for wireless communication by a first network node (Fig(s).1-2, 4 @ 400, and 5 @ 500), wherein the set of instructions (read as program instructions (Paragraph [0038])), when executed by one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302) of the first network node (Fig(s).1-2, 4 @ 400, and 5 @ 500), cause the first network node (Fig(s).1-2, 4 @ 400, and 5 @ 500) to:
obtain reference timing information associated with a second network node associated with a radio access technology (RAT) (read as “The Tx CPU 402 may receive from the Tx BT radio 506 a read EC message 526, including the current EC value, ECcurrent.”(Fig.5; Paragraph [0100]) For example, “the value of EC and/or the time of the most recent handshake function may serve as a known reference time value that may be used to coordinate subsequent communications.”(Paragraph [0099])); and
communicate, in association with a set of ultra-wideband (UWB) signal parameters, a UWB signal (Fig(s).4 @ 432 and 5 @ 532),
However, Hariharan et al. fail to explicitly teach the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters.
Choi et al. teach a method wherein the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information (read as RMARKER (Fig.5B; Paragraph [0169])) and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters. (read as “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claim 36, Hariharan et al. teach an apparatus for wireless communication (Fig(s).1-2 and 4-5), comprising:
means for obtaining reference timing information associated with a second network node associated with a radio access technology (RAT) (read as “The Tx CPU 402 may receive from the Tx BT radio 506 a read EC message 526, including the current EC value, ECcurrent.”(Fig.5; Paragraph [0100]) For example, “the value of EC and/or the time of the most recent handshake function may serve as a known reference time value that may be used to coordinate subsequent communications.”(Fig.5; Paragraph [0099])); and
means for communicating, in association with a set of ultra-wideband (UWB) signal parameters, a UWB signal(Fig(s).4 @ 432 and 5 @ 532),
However, Hariharan et al. fail to explicitly teach the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters.
Choi et al. teach a method wherein the set of UWB signal parameters being based on the reference timing information (read as RMARKER (Fig.5B; Paragraph [0169])) and comprising at least one of
a set of UWB data signal parameters or
a set of UWB ranging parameters. (read as “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claims 4 and 21, and as applied to claims 1 and 18 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302), to cause the first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) to obtain the reference timing information, are configured to cause the first network node to receive, from the second network node, system information that indicates the reference timing information. (read as “the first wireless device may use a BT communication to pass timing information regarding a time at which the first wireless device will transmit a subsequent UWB message. Additionally, the first wireless device and the neighboring wireless device may use timing information of one or more BT communication events to synchronize the timing of their respective UWB radios for communicating the subsequent UWB message.”(Paragraph [0073]))
Regarding claims 5 and 22, and as applied to claims 1 and 18 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302), to cause the first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) to obtain the reference timing information, are configured to cause the first network node to receive, via a user input component of the first network node (read as a desktop computer equipped with a keyboard (Fig(s).1-5; Paragraph [0056])), an indication of the reference timing information. (read as “the first wireless device may use a BT communication to pass timing information regarding a time at which the first wireless device will transmit a subsequent UWB message. Additionally, the first wireless device and the neighboring wireless device may use timing information of one or more BT communication events to synchronize the timing of their respective UWB radios for communicating the subsequent UWB message.”(Paragraph [0073]))
Regarding claims 6, 23, and 35, and as applied to claims 1, 18, and 31 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node, method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium (Figs.1-5) wherein the set of instructions (read as program instructions (Paragraph [0038])), when executed by one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302) of the first network node (Fig(s).1-5) to obtain the reference timing information, are configured to cause the first network node to:
receive at least one signal from the second network node (Fig(s).1-5); and
determine the reference timing information based on receiving the at least one signal. (Fig(s).2 @ 202, 3 @ 302, and 4-6)
Regarding claims 7 and 24, and as applied to claims 1 and 18 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302), to cause the first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) to determine the set of UWB signal parameters based on the reference timing information. (Fig(s).2 @ 202, 3 @ 302, and 4-6)
Regarding claims 8 and 25, and as applied to claims 7 and 24 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302), to cause the first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) to determine the set of UWB signal parameters, are configured to cause the first network node to determine the set of UWB signal parameters so that a predicted interference level associated with the second network node satisfies an interference condition. (read as “The length of the wake window may be determined based on various factors, such as the expected length of the UWB beacon 432 and/or other communications, and the precision of the synchronization, considering such factors as hardware delays, software delays, clock precision, transmission times, etc.” (Paragraph [0091]))
Regarding claims 9 and 26, and as applied to claims 7 and 24 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302), to cause the first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) to determine the set of UWB signal parameters, are configured to cause the first network node to align [[the]]a communication of the UWB signal with one or more slots of a time division duplexing (TDD) configuration associated with the second network node based on the one or more slots corresponding to a predicted interference level that satisfies an interference condition. (read as length of a wake window (Paragraph [0091]))
Regarding claims 11 and 28, and as applied to claims 1 and 18 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) and a method (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the set of UWB signal parameters comprises a UWB slot length equal to a frame length of a time division duplexing (TDD) configuration associated with the second network node. (read as length of UWB beacon (Paragraph [0091]))
Regarding claim 12, and as applied to claim 1 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a first network node (Figs.1-2 and 4-5) wherein the RAT comprises a cellular communication technology.(read as LTE (Paragraph [0055]))
Regarding claim 34, and as applied to claim 31 above, Hariharan et al., as modified by Choi et al., teach a non-transitory computer-readable medium (Fig(s).2 @ 206 and 3 @ 306) wherein the set of instructions (read as program instructions (Paragraph [0038])), when executed by one or more processors (Fig(s).2 @ 202 and 3 @ 302) of the first network node (Fig(s).1-5) to
obtain the reference timing information, cause the first network node to:
receive, from the second network node, system information that indicates the reference timing information (Fig(s).1-5), or
receive, via a user input component of the first network node, an indication of the reference timing information. (Fig(s).1-5)
Claims 2-3, 10, 19-20, 27, 32-33, and 37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hariharan et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2022/0149890 A1) (This reference is cited in the IDS filed on 1/8/2025), in view of Choi et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2025/0023601 A1), and Takeda et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2020/0367255 A1).
Regarding claims 2, 19, 32 and 37, and as applied to claims 1, 18, 31, and 36 above, Hariharan et al. teach “Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to utilize Bluetooth (BT) radios to synchronize ultra wideband (UWB) radios, to allow the UWB radios to operate within narrow transmit/receive windows, which may lead to power savings.”(Fig(s), 1-2 and 4-5; Abstract)
Choi et al. teach “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169])
However, Hariharan et al. and Choi et al. fail to explicitly teach wherein the reference timing information is associated with a time division duplexing (TDD) configuration associated with the second network node.
Takeda et al. teach a method wherein the reference timing information is associated with a time division duplexing (TDD) configuration associated with the second network node. (read as “The reference timing in FIG. 1 is a timing at which the TDD configuration update notification is received.”(Fig(s).1 and 5; Paragraph [0071]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function for correlating a reference time with a TDD configuration as taught by Takeda et al. and the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claims 3, 20, and 33, and as applied to claims 1, 18, and 31 above, Hariharan et al. teach “Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to utilize Bluetooth (BT) radios to synchronize ultra wideband (UWB) radios, to allow the UWB radios to operate within narrow transmit/receive windows, which may lead to power savings.”(Fig(s), 1-2 and 4-5; Abstract)
Choi et al. teach “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169])
However, Hariharan et al. and Choi et al. fail to explicitly teach wherein the reference timing information comprises a timing reference point.
Takeda et al. teach clearly shows and discloses a method wherein the reference timing information comprises a timing reference point. (read as reference point (Fig.5))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function for correlating a reference point with a TDD configuration as taught by Takeda et al. and the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Regarding claims 10 and 27, and as applied to claims 9 and 26 above, Hariharan et al. teach “Methods, systems, and apparatuses are presented to utilize Bluetooth (BT) radios to synchronize ultra wideband (UWB) radios, to allow the UWB radios to operate within narrow transmit/receive windows, which may lead to power savings.”(Fig(s), 1-2 and 4-5; Abstract)
Choi et al. teach “each UWB PHY packet may include an RMARKER for defining a reference time, and the RMARKER may be used to obtain a transmission time, a reception time, and/or a time period of a ranging message (frame) in the UWB ranging procedure.”(Paragraph [0169])
However, Hariharan et al. and Choi et al. fail to explicitly teach clearly shows and discloses a first network node wherein the one or more slots comprise at least one uplink slot.
Takeda et al. teach a method wherein the one or more slots comprise at least one uplink slot. (Fig(s).5-6)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the function for one or more TDD configurations as taught by Takeda et al. and the function to use an RMARKER (reference time) in a UWB ranging procedure as taught by Choi et al. with the electronic devices(s) as taught by Hariharan et al. for the purpose of enhancing UWB communications by devices in a network.
Conclusion
8. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure:
Park et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2020/0120625 A1) teach “it may be desirable to only use eNB DL reference timing when the UE is camped/connected in TDD or synced with networks (i.e., when the eNB timing drift is bound). ”(Paragraph [0160])
Bollard (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2022/0216892 A1) teaches “The tag response emission unit 253 may further be configured to enter in the UWB frame sent as tag response frame, the information which reference beacon device was used for the (reference) time point associated with the receiving of the (reference) beacon frame BF, usually the master beacon device ID or the beacon repeater device ID.”(Paragraph [0363])
Any response to this Office Action should be faxed to (571) 273-8300 or mailed to:
Commissioner for Patents
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Any inquiry concerning this communication or early communications from the Examiner should be directed to Salvador E. Rivas whose telephone number is (571) 270-1784. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 7:00AM to 3:30PM.
If attempts to reach the Examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the Examiner’s supervisor, Un C. Cho can be reached on (571) 272- 7919. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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/SALVADOR E RIVAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
January 6, 2026